Hello All, I'm in need of some knowledge/help! My truck is a 2005 Dodge Dakota Laramie, 4.7L V8, 4X4. Mileage 180,650. It is leaking/using 2 quarts oil/1000 miles.
The work stated as necessary by the dealer service tech is as follows:
1) Replace leaking oil pan gasket
2) Replace leaking rear engine seal
3) Repair oil leak from timing cover
4) Replace water pump
5) Replace both map-light bulbs

I was told cost would be $5700. It seems high to me, but I have no idea. Are any on you knowledgeable on what dealers' service departments charges should be for these repairs? I am 70 yo and am unable to do the work myself.

Thank you in advance.
Kind regards, Paul

 

That is ridiculous. Get some quotes from independent shops. You don’t have to use the dealer.

 

That's why they are called stealerships. Find a good independent shop to do the work.

 

For $5700, I'd be tempted to fly to your city and install a brand new motor myself. Would even throw in the bulbs for free.

Find a good independent shop and kick the dealer to the curb. Don't look back.

 

Well, looking at the work, it won't be cheap since the engine will best be pulled and worked on, on an engine stand. However, that is pretty high to my mind. If it wasn't for the rear seal, it wouldn't have to be pulled. They COULD drop the transmission if it was just the rear seal, but with the other engine needs, I'd pull the engine.

I'd find a reputable independent shop, many of them are former dealer mechanics, to do the work. When they do the water pump and timing cover gasket, I'd spring for a new timing chain.Most of the work will be done already as the pump and cover have to come off for gasket replacement. 180,000 miles is about time for some major maintenance so get it all taken care of then.

One caveat though, when they separate the engine from the transmission for the rear seal replacement, put a new seal in the front pump of the transmission. It's several hours of aggravation for a $20-30 part. Nothing like spending all that money on labor and then have to do it again. Definitely skip the dealer. Shop rate there might be twice what a good indy will cost.

 

A quart of good oil...$7-$8? A 5-quart jug at Wal-Mart...$26?

It has 180,000 miles and is leaking a quart of oil every 500 miles...If the truck gets to 250,000 miles, that's another 70,000 miles, which is about 140 quarts of oil at the current loss rate...Which is about $900-$1,100 worth of oil.

You could pay for a steep repair bill (even if significantly less than the outrageous quoted price), or you could simply pay for a quart of oil at maybe every other gas fill-up (and "discounted" if you buy the quarts by the 5-quart jug).